IL House Studies Cost Of College

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 05:38:10 CSTBy: AP

The Illinois House has approved a plan to study alternative ways for people to pay for college. The ``Pay it Forward'' plan calls on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to consider programs other states have adopted to address the rising cost of a college education. Such programs allow attendance at community colleges or state universities tuition-free as long as the student signs a contract to repay the state from a portion of future earnings. The measure sponsored by Marengo Democratic Rep. Jack Franks won approval 111-0 and moves to the Senate. Franks says the current situation _ a choice between assuming a large debt for college costs or limiting future earning potential because of a lack of a degree _ harms the economy.